Printing telegraph apparatus



Oct. 1, 1940. c. w. BURCKY 2,216,337

' PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Filed Dec. 19, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2.

IN VENTOR. CHARLES W. BURCKY A RNEY. 5

Oct. 1, 1940. c. w. uRcKY 2,216,337

PRINTING TELEGRAPH AiPARATUS I Filed Dec. 19, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 9

INVENTOR. CHARLES w. BURCKY ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 1, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Delaware Application December 19, 1938, Serial No. 246,548

16 Claims.

The present invention relates to printing telegraph apparatus and more particularly to such apparatus capable of tabulation recording.

The principal object of the invention is to provide in a telegraph printer an efficient and smoothly operating tabulating mechanism having means for assuring consistent operationdespite a limited degree of maladjustment.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for assuring accurate operation under certain marginal conditions.

Another object of the invention is to provide means to assure formation of a blank vertical spacing between adjacent vertical typed columns ina record page.

The above and other objects of the present invention are accomplished by the provision in a printing telegraph apparatus, of the type disclosed in U. S. Patents Nos. 1,904,164 and 20"2,023,l21 jointly, of a tabulator bar which extends across the front of the machine and is pivotally carried by brackets mounted on the frame of the machine and capable of swinging toward and away from the movable carriage. 25 The tabulator bar carries a number of adjustable members which determine the positions at which the type carriage comes to rest after spacing during the tabulating cycle.

Spacing mechanism of the printing apparatus comprises a multi-toothed spacing ratchet or escapement wheel adapted to cooperate with a pair of pawls which are actuated by the printing bail to function as an escapement mechanism so that, upon each revolution of the printing cam 35 shaft, a spacing worm gear, associated with the spacing ratchet, is permitted under normal operating conditions to escape one tooth at a time, and hence to rotate through a corresponding angle.

According to the aforementioned patents, function levers are provided which operate in accordance with the setting of a series of selector vanes The present invention contemplates the provision among these function levers 5 of a tabulating function lever which, when selected, is drawn toward the selector vanes by its spring. When this occurs, a rear extension of the function lever rises and lifts a rearwardly extending arm of a horizontal lever member, 50 which is pivotally mounted beneath the function lever and has rearwardly and forwardly extending lever arms, the latter normally latching the tabulator bar against operation by its spring. When the rear end of this horizontal lever is raised, it lifts, through suitable linkage, the

upper spacing pawl out of engagement with a tooth of the spacing ratchet, at which time the front end of said horizontal lever member is lowcred, thereby unlatching the tabulating bar to permit the latter to be moved by its spring toward the type carriage. While the upper spacing pawl is thus disengaged from the ratchet, the lower spacing pawl remains in its normal position entirely free of the teeth on the ratchet, thus permitting the spacing worm gear to rotate ,con-tinuously, and therefore the carriage will be moved continuously.

To bring the carriage to rest after tabulating, the upper space pawl is permitted to drop into engagement again with the ratchet. This latter function is effected by the cooperation of a carriage borne cam element with one of the adjustable members borne by the tabulator bar. This cam forces or cams the tabulator bar forward or away from the carriage, against spring tension, and in so doing disengages the horizontal lever member to be restored to its normal position into normal latching engagement with the tabulator bar. This restoring movement of the horizontal lever member permits the upper spacing pawl to fall into engagement again with a tooth on the spacing ratchet, which brings the carriage to rest.

Should the tabulator signal be received when the carriage is immediately to the left of a tabulator stop position, a marginal condition is encountered wherein this invention provides against irregular operation which might result from maladjustment of certain springs or of the friction clutch of the spacingmechanism. The invention provides a latch or blocking member on the control arm of the tabulator bar which operates to prevent an undesired restoration of a tripped tabulator bar.

A better understanding of the invention may be had from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein,

Fig. 1 is a front elevational View of the principal part of the printing apparatus showing the application thereto of the tabulating mechanism embodying the present invention supplemented with a schematic circuit diagram showing a transmitter and a plurality of receivers in the same line circuit;

Fig. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional View of the printing apparatus taken approximately along line 2-2 of Fig. 1; i

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken on line 33 of Fig, 2;

Fig. 4 is a detail rear elevation of the spacing mechanism of the printing apparatus described by the aforementioned patents;

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view taken on line 55 of Fi 1; and

Figs. 6 to 14 inclusive, are views showing the various operative positions of the mechanism of the present invention.

In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several views. For a complete understanding of details not disclosed herein, and which form no part of the present invention, reference may be had to U. S. Patents Nos, 1,904,164 and 2,023,121.

As disclosed in Fig. 1, a transmitter l is shown diagrammatically as connected in a signal line 3, in which are also connected, line magnets 41 and 5 of receiving printers 6 and 1, respectively (also shown diagrammatically), and line magnet H of the printing telegraph apparatus, indicated generally as 9. The transmission of signals is effected, as is well known, either through a keyboard controlled or a tape controlled sending device which operates the sending contacts 8 permutably to transmit permutation code signals over the signal line 3. It is understood, of course, that the printers 6, l, and 9 are of identical construction, although only the printer 9 will be described in detail.

Briefly, having reference to Figs. 1 to 4, in clusive, the printing apparatus to which the tabulating mechanism of the present invention is applied comprises a typing machine (shown generally as 9 in Figs. 1 and 2) which includes a primary selecting mechanism, indicated generally by the receiving electromagnet N (Fig. l), which is of the sword-and-T type disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 1,745,633 (also fully disclosed in Patent No. 1,904,164), and a secondary selector or selector vaneassembly, indicated generally as 12. The selector vane assembly l2 controls through a series of bell cranks i3 1), a corresponding series of curved code bars M carried in a movable type carriage. As set forth in Patent No. 1,904,164, this type carriage, indicated generally as H), is movable longitudinally with respect to a stationary platen (not shown).

Referring particularly to Fig. 2, a motor (not shown) supplies power to a main operating shalt 2! which carries the spacing mechanism, indicated generally as 22 (Figs. 2 and 4). The spacing mechanism 22, which will be described more in detail hereinafter, controls, through a gear 28, shaft 29, gear 3|, and rack 32 (Fig. 2), the movement of type carriage |5 to form character spaces, effecting also in this movement a winding of a carriage return spring mechanism, indicated generally as 03.

Upon receipt of the carriage return signal, a function bar 34 is tripped in the manner described in Patent No. 1,904,164, so as to permit spring 35 to rotate lever 36 against stop 31 to raise, through bell crank 38, a member 39 of a grab clutch 4|. Carriage return mechanism 33 is thereupon permitted, due to the energy stored up therein, to return the carriage it"; to its normal or beginning-of-line position.

Positioned in operative relation with and parallel to the main operating shaft 2| is an auxiliary shaft 42 on which are carriedvarious mechanisms; for example, printing bail function lever bail 40, and the escapement pawls for the spacing mechanism 22. The printing bail which is actuated by a printing spring 30 in proper timed relation in the operative cycle, functions to reciprocate a pull bar operating member 44 to cause the operation of a type bar, as clearly described in Patent No. 1,904,164.

The selector vanes, as set forth in Patent No. 1,904,164, control a series of function levers, among which is function lever 45 which is provided especially for accomplishing the objects of the present invention, and which, like the other function levers described in said patent, is pivoted on a common pivot rod and is assembled in a slot in the function lever comb 41. This function lever 45, like the rest of the function lever of the series, is provided with an individual spring 43, tensioned between it and the printer frame, which tends to rotate the function lever about pivot 46 but, as clearly set forth in Patent No. 1,904,164, is restrained by the function lever ball 40, acting through rod 50 on arm till.

Before describing further the function of lever a detailed description of the spacing mechanisrn will be given. Having reference to Figs. 2 and 4, there is shown mounted on the main shaft 2% and located substantially centrally of the apparatus a sleeve member 5!, which comprises escapement ratchet 52 and spacing worm Sleeve member 5! is operably connected to the hub of a disc by means of interengaging tongue and groove members 55. A collar 5% is pinned to main shaft 2| and is rotatable therewith. Interposed between disc 54 and collar 56 is disc 51 of frictional material; for example, felt. By means of a helical compression spring iii sleeve 53 is frictionally connected to shaft 2| through the friction clutch comprising members 54, 5t, and 5'6. Sleeve 5| is thereby rotatable with main shaft 2| unless arrested by the escapement pawls of the spacing mechanism 22, as will presently appear.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be noted that ratchet 52 is provided in the present instance, with three teeth or notches iii, (Ma, and 62b, the escapement of which will allow the type carriage i5 to be moved forward one step or character space for each actuation of the printing bail 43. As indicated, the escapement mechanism comprises a pair of pawls or levers G2 and t3 (pivotally mounted on bail shaft 42), and lever 64 adjustably fixed to printing bail 43. Spring '35 normally tends to bias levers 62 and 63 toward each other, since it is attached to both levers. Lever (i2 is normally urged by spring 55 in a counterclockwise direction so that laterally disposed end 66 engages tooth '55 of ratchet 52, thus forming a spacing pawl hereinafter called up-per spacing pawl to arrest rotation of said ratchet. Lever 63 is normally held out of engagement with ratchet 52, against the tension of spring 653, by the action of lever 64 against laterally disposed end 0?. Lever G4 is pivotally connected to printing bail 43 at 68 and is provided at 09 with a slot and screw adjusting means, whereby the correct relative position of escapement levers 6E and 63 with respect to ratchet 52 may be maintained.

The spacing operation from character to character in a word occurs immediately following or subsequent to the printing of a character in the following manner: Upon the printing of a character, the printing bail 43 oscillates and, so doing, controls the operation of lever arm 54. During the initial portion of the clockwise movement of arm 64, lever end 6'! of lever G l follows lever M and lever 63, under the action of spring 65, rotates clockwise to bring the laterally disposed end 12, hereinafter called for- 7.5

ward spacing paw, into the path of tooth Gla. It is noted that, due to the space indicatediat ll) between arm 64 and laterally disposed end H of lever 62, the latter lever has not been acted upon, and spacing pawl 66 remains instantly in engagement with the tooth 6|. However, upon the further clockwise movement of lever 64, similar movement is imparted, through laterally disposed end ll to lever 62, thus effecting the disengagement of pawl 66 from tooth BI, and permitting ratchet 52 to rotate slightly in a clockwise direction under the influence of friction clutch members 54 to 51 (Fig. 4), until arrested by the engagement of tooth 61a with forward spacing pawl 12. Ratchet 52 is thus restrained by. lever 63 from rotation until the completionof the printing of a character, at which time printing bail 43. and associated lever 64 are caused to rotate counterclockwise by the action. of a printing cam (not shown). Restraint of lever 62 by lever 64 through end H is thereby removed, permitting lever 62 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction under the influence of spring 65 into the path of tooth Gib of ratchet 52. During this counterclockwise movement of lever (i l, and after the aforementioned release of lever 62, lever 63 is caused to rotate in a like direction due to the action of lever 64 on end (ill thereof, thereby disengaging pawl 12 from tooth 68a and allowing ratchet 52 to resume its' rotation until arrested by the engagement of pawl (iii with tooth Bib. Thus, it is observed that with the escapement mechanism just described, there is, following printing of a character, a period of overlap wherein pawls 66 and 12, due to the space indicated at 10, are in effective positions concurrently to control the escapement of ratchet 52, the pawls 6B and 12 being alternately engageable with the ratchet teeth to permit th escapement of ratchet 52.

It is obvious that, since worm 53 and ratchet 52 are integrally connected to sleeve .5], said worm 53 will have normally the same intermittent or step-by-step motion as was hereinbefore seen to be impartedto ratchet B2. Worm 53 is meshed with worm gear 28 (Fig. 2) which is loosely mounted on vertical shaft 29, and is operably connected thereto by means of jaw clutch 4H. Worm 53 and gear 28 are so related, according to the present embodiment, that one-third revolution of worm 53 will rotate gear 23 through a distance which, through gear 3| and rack 32, causes the type carriage to be advanced one character space.

From the .foregoing, it will be observed that character spacing occurs automatically with the printing of each character; that is, the spacing function is merged into the printing operation. It is well known that there is a code combination allotted toeach type bar; but it is possible, however, to employ a code combination, commonly known as the spacing signal, which is identified with no type bar, but which will nevertheless initiate the printing operation. Therefore, the spacing between words is accomplished in exactly the same manner as set forth, when a spacing signal is received, except that no type bar is operated and consequently no character is printed.

Upon receipt and execution of code signal for functional operations, such as shift and bell, it is desirable to execute the signal without effecting spacing. In execution of such signals, spacing is suppressed by limiting movement of printing bail 43 and arm 64 to a fractional movement. such that the movement of the forward pawl 12 does not permit the pawl to enter the path of teeth of ratchet 52, and the upper pawl 66 does not disengage from the tooth 6|.

In accordance with the present invention, continuous spacing may be effected upon receipt of a code combination signal known as the tabulating code signal which functions to initiate operation of the tabulating mechanism. In execution of this signal, spacing is suppressed. The mechanically operated tabulating arrangement of the present invention comprises a tabulator bar 8| extending acrossand in front of the printing machine, as shown in Fig. 1. Bar 8| is provided with depending portions 82 and 83 through which it is pivotally mounted on bracket 84 carried on the printer frame. Thus, tabulator bar at is adapted to be swingable toward and away from the carriage l5. Bar 8| is provided with a lon itudinal slot 85 extending substantially the entire length of the bar. In this slot are carried a plurality of adjustably positionable stop members 8t. which are adapted to be clamped the bar 9! by means of screws 87 and clamps 6i individual to each stop member (Fig. 2). As indicated in Fig. 5, these stop members 86 are each. provided with an inclined or cam portion specially conformed so as to provide quick action upon cooperation with a cam striker Ill carried by the type carriage I to terminate suddenly the tabulating operation.

Tabulator bar BI is also provided, intermediate the depending portions 82 and 83 (Fig. 1) and suitably, positioned relative to function lever 35, with another dependingportion 9!. 'Attached to and depending from portion 9! is a control arm 92, the lower end of which is provided with an aperture 93 having its upper lefthand corner (as viewed in Figs. 2, 8, and '10) conformed so as to provide a reentrant stepped portion or edge 9d. The tabulator bar Bl, as indicated in Fig. I, normally tends to move toward the printing apparatus due to the action of a spring 95.

Cooperating with the stepped portion 94 (Fig. 2) is one arm 96 of a lever 91 pivotally carried at 98 on a support 99 secured to the function lever comb 41. The extremity of arm 96 is provided with a laterally disposed arm end portion Hll (Fig. 3) which cooperates with edge 94 of member 92-. At the end of arm 12 of lever 9! is pivotally carried a vertically extending member I93, the upper end of which is provided (in the present embodiment) with an open ended slot adapted to engage a pin HM carried by escapement lever 62.

Function lever 45 is provided with a horizontal portion I55 so conformed that its extremity I06 engages the lower edge of arm I92 of lever 9'! in such manner that, when function lever 45 is permitted to rotate in a clockwise direction under the action of its spring 48 upon the proper setting of the vanes I01 in response to the tabulation code signal, the end I 96 thereof is elevated, causing lever 91 to rotate slightly in a clockwise direction against the tension of its spring I08. The arm end fill of arm 95 is thus moved downwardly clear of portion 94, thus permitting spring 95 tourg e the tabulator bar Bl inwardly (toward the left as viewed in Fig. 2) until wall I09 of member 92 engages arm end ll)! The series of adjustable stops 86 are thus moved inwardly into the path of a cam striker Ill (Figs. 2 and 5) pivoted at I I2 on a portion H3 integrally formed on a bar H5 which is comparable to bar 53 shown in Fig. 1 of Patent No. 1,904,164, employed for retaining the bell crank levers I3 in operable relation to vanes I9]. Thus, cam striker I I I, like bar H5 and bell cranks I3, is movable with the type carriage I5 for character spacing. As viewed in Fig. 5, cam III normally tends to rotate in a clockwise direction about pivot II2 due to the action of spring I IE, but clockwise rotation is limited by engagement of a stop pin III, carried thereon, with the end of bar I I5. Thus, upon the rightward movement of type carriage I5, cam striker HF, due to its non-rotatability in a clockwise direction, will, by its camming action on stop members 88, actuate tabulator bar 8I outwardly, but upon the leftward movement of type carriage I5, cam striker III, upon striking the series of stop members 86, will be rotated counterclockwise against the action of spring I I 6 sufficiently to pass the cam portions 89.

Upon the clockwise rotation of lever 97 due to the selection of function lever 45, arm Hi2, and consequently link I93 carried thereon, will be raised and in so doing will, through pin I94, lift upper spacing pawl 66 out of engagement with the tooth of the ratchet 52 which (since pawl 12 is prevented from engaging any tooth of the ratchet 52 due to fractional movement of lever 64) permits the worm gear 53 to rotate continuously with the main shaft 2 I, and therefore the carriage will be spaced continuously so long as the spacing pawl 66 is held out of operative engagement with ratchet 52, which pawl will be maintained in this position due to the engagement of arm end IliI with the under side of stepped portion 94. Thus, carriage I5 will be moved continuously until cam striker III engages one of the series of stops 85, when cam striker I I I will urge, through stop cam 89, tabulator bar 8| outwardly and portion 94 inwardly (as viewed in Fig. 2), the effect of which is to disengage portion 94 from arm end I9I, whereupon lever 97 will be rotated in a counterclockwise direction by its spring I98 into the position shown in Fig. 2, in which event portion I93, carried on arm I92 of lever 91, will be lowered, permitting pawl 66, under action of spring 65, to engage one of the teeth GI, fiIa, or (ill) of the ratchet 52.

The function lever 45 will have been returned to its non-selective position, as shown in Fig. 2, because of the fact that during the cycle pursuant to the reception of the tabulating signal, the function bail 49 will have been reciprocated through a complete cycle although to but a fractional or space-suppression distance and return so that rod 59 and, therefore, member 4'! are a n in normal positicn shown.

In review, during a normal tabulation operation, the consecutive relative positions of arm end I9I and edge 94 are as follows: Normally, as shown in Fig. 2, arm end I9I is up, control arm 92 is urged counterclockwise by its spring (Fig. 1) and is restrained by engagement of stepped portion 94 with arm end IOI. Arm end l9! moves downward to disengage itself from stepped portion 94 and control arm 92 is moved by its spring 95 until edge of aperture 93 engages arm end I9I, as shown in Fig. 8. Arm end IIJI moves upward and engages edge 94, as shown in Fig. 12. Control arm 92 by action of cam. striker I I I then rotates clockwise and edge 94 disengages from arm end IIlI, which rises under power from its spring I98, and control arm 92, upon being released from control of cam striker III, rotates iterclockwise until edge 94 engages arm end I 0 I, thus attaining the normal condition shown in Fig. 2.

In a printed page formed with vertical tabulated columns, it is desirable to provide means for forming vertical unprinted lines or gutters between adjacent printed columns of typed record. To attain this effect, provision is made, in a structure according to prior art, that a tabulation spacing step shall be not less than three word spaces. Operators of such machines are instructed accordingly, but to assure the attainment of this effect, means is provided in the structure according to the present invention which becomes effective in case the operator neglects the instruction.

In the normal tabulation cycle traversed immediately above herein, with striker I I I midway between cams 86 and BSA, as shown in Fig. 5, member IIII moves downward from its position shown in Figs. 2 or 6 to its position shown in Fig. 8, as function lever 45 rotates clockwise whereupon, as member I 9| clears the corner of edge 94, the control arm 92 and tabulator bar 8I are released for movement from the position shown in Fig. 6 to the position shown in Fig. 8. Then, when function lever 45 starts to rotate counterclockwise in returning, member IOI follows until edge of 94 is engaged. The continuous spacing movement of the carriage I5 has been begun early in the movement of member HM, and striker III engages cam 36A, rocking the bar BI and arm 92 clockwise, thereby disengaging end IOI from the corner of edge or step 94, whereupon end I5I rises, lever 91 rocks counterclockwise, member I93 descends, pawl 66 is engaged by tooth BI, and carriage I5 stops.

Should the keyboard operator either directly or through tape control transmit a tabulation signal in error when the striker III, Fig. 5, is but one or two character spaces to the left of the tabulation stop position, the steps of operation will be as follows: From normal position shown in Figs. 2 or 6, arm end I9I descends to its position shown in Fig. 8, the carriage I5 starts by a fully tensioned quickly acting clutch, arm 92 moves to its position shown in Fig. 8 due to the fact that striker III first acts through cam 86A and rocks arm 92 from its spring controlled position shown in Fig. 8 to its cam controlled position shown in Fig. 10; then striker III passes cam 86A and releases arm 92 to return to its spring controlled position shown in Fig. 8, after which the lateral portion or end IFiI, now rising in its function of following the returning movement of member 45, engages edge 94 as shown in Fig. 12. Thus, end I III does not return to the position shown in Figs. 2 or 6, and carriage I5 continues in tabulating motion until striker III engages cam 86B (Fig. 5) to rock arm 92 from its position shown in Fig. 12, to its position shown in Fig. 10, after which all parts return to positions shown in Figs. 2 or 6, and carriage I5 stops in tabulation position 863 instead of position 86A. By observation of a home recorder, the operator is advised of his error.

slippage is inherent in a friction clutch, and to nullify slippage in the clutch, the present invention provides a latch I2! which is pivotally carried at I22 on arm 92 and is spring urged in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Figs. 6, 8, l0, and 12) by a spring I28 distended between a spring post I28 on arm 92 (Fig. 3) and a stop pin I24. Stop pin I24 is carried on the latch I2I and bears against the outer edge of arm 92 when the arm end I9I is in the position shown in Fig. 8. Having reference to Figs. 6 to 12, inclusive,

in Figs. 6 and 7 is shown the normal relative position of the tabulator bar 8| and cam striker I ll carried on the carriage l5 wherein said cam striker I, H is immediately to the left (as would with its cam striker l II will then move in the direction of the arrow I24 (Fig. 9).

In so moving, the striker ill will urge the stop element 86 outwardly (as viewed in Fig. 11) to cause the tabulator bar Bland the arm 92 integral therewith to assume the position shown in Fig. 10, wherein the arm 22 has been rocked to its clockwise position. In this position, the lever 91 has not yet started its upward or counterclockwise .movement, thus a clearance obtains between the latch I21 and lever 91'. In Fig. 14 is shown a transit position wherein arm, 92 has begun its counterclockwise movement under influence of spring 95, and lever 91 has risen into contact with latch 121. Under these conditions (as noted in Figs. 10 and 14) lever 91, through its laterally disposed portion I0! is blocked againstupward movement by the latch l2l.

In Figs. 12 and 13 is shown the condition of the tabulating control mechanism when the striker ill has just passed over and beyond the stop element 86A. In this position the tabulator bar ti and arm 92 have been returned to their counterclockwise position by the spring 95 (shown in Fig. 1). In this condition of the apparatus, the

arm end Hll engages the stepped edge 94, and is now in a position (due to the stepped relationship between portion 94 and thetipof latch I2l) to engage the latch 12!.

In the operation described above, when carriage I! 5 passed stop element 86A without stopping, the arm end l0! did not engage the latch |2l in the manner shown. in Fig. 12 until after striker Ill had engaged the stop element 86B. Should slippage of the clutch cause a slow start of carriage M5, the operation of. arm 92 by striker III will be delayed, and arm end Hll in rising may engage the latch l2l, producing a sequence of oper ations as follows: From normal (Fig. 6), arm end HH descends (Fig. 8), arm 92 moves fully to its clockwise position then starts rightwardly, and arm end Nil starts up (Fig. 14). From a quick clutch start, latch l2| will clear from the path of end 101, and end |0l will engage the left vertical edge I09 of 93 and then the horizontal edge of step 94, but from a slow clutch. start, latch [2| will not have cleared from the path of end I01, and end It! will engage the lower edge of latch 12! being thus latched down and prevented from rising above the level of the horizontal edge of step 94, after which, further movement of latch 12! drops latch IZI away from end llll, and end llll rises and engages the horizontal edge of step M after striker II I has passed cam 88A. Obviously, were thelatch IZI omitted from the structure in Fig. 14, the arm. end lfll would have risen to engage the vertical edge of step 94 after a slow clutch start without having engaged the horizontal edge of step 94, and the stoppage of carriage H5 would have occurred at cam 86A, but operation of latch l2! assures that arm end lill will engage the horizontal edge of step 94, thus attaining uniform operation despite any maladjustment of the friction clutch.

It is seen from the foregoing that an arrangement has been provided for insuring consistent and uniform operation of the tabulating mechanisms of a series of printers connected in the same line circuit. It is, of course, understood that this application is intended to cover not only the specific embodiment disclosed, but also such changes or modifications as come within the spirit of the invention or scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a recorder, elements movable-normally one character space, means comprising an instrumentality operated selectively in response to a predetermined code signal for causing said elements to advance through a plurality of spaces at a time from one recording position to another, and means efiective invariably to block the return movement of said instrumentality directly from its operated position to its normal position. 2. In a recorder, means to effect recording operations, means to limit the movement of said means to a single character space at a time, means comprising an instrumentality operated selectively in response to a predetermined code signal to render said second recited means ineffective to limit the movement of said first recited means to single spaces, and means effective invariably to block the return movement of said instrumentality directly from its operated position to its normal position.

3. In a recorder, recording elements, means operable normally to move said recording elements one character space upon each recording operation, means comprising an instrumentality operated selectively in response to a predetermined code signal for causing said recording elements to advance through a plurality of spaces at a time from one recording position to another, and lockout means effective invariably to block the return movement of said instrumentality directly from its operated position to its normal position.

1. In a recorder, a traveling carriage, recording mechanism cooperating therewith, means for effecting the normal spacing movement of said carriage, other means comprising an instrumentality operated selectively in response to a predetermined code signal for efiecting the continuous movement of said carriage through variable sequences of characterspaces, and further means efifective invariably to block the return movement of said instrumentality directly from its operated position to its normal position.

5. In a telegraph system, a line circuit extending between a plurality of stations, a transmitter at one of said stations, a printing telegraph receiver at each of the other stations including a tabulating mechanism, means in each printer comprising an instrumentality operated selectively in response to a predetermined control signal from said transmitter for operating said tabulating mechanism, and means in each printer effective invariably to block the return movement of said instrumentality directly from its operated position to its normal position.

6. In a telegraph system, a line circuit extending between a plurality of stations, a transmitter at one of said stations, a printing telegraph receiver at each of the other stations, a movable carriage in each receiver, means in each receiver operable normally under the control of said transmitter to move the carriage one character space upon each recording operation, means in each receiver comprising an instrumentality operated selectively in response to a predetermined code signal for causing the carriage to advance through a plurality of spaces at a time from one recording position to another, and lockout means in each receiver efiective invariably to block the return movement of said instrumentality directly from its operated position to its normal position.

'7. In a recorder, selector mechanism responsive to received code combinations of signaling impulses, a type carriage movable normally one character space for each recording operation, means comprising an instrumentality operated under the control of said selector mechanism for causing said carriage to advance uninterruptedly through a plurality of spaces at a time from one recording position to another, and means effective invariably to block the return movement of said instrumentality directly from its operated position to its normal position.

8. In a telegraph recorder, selector mechanism comprising a plurality of function levers responsive to code signals, a type carriage, spacing mechanism operative normally to control the advancement of said type carriage one character space at a time, tabulating mechanism comprising an instrumentality operated under control of one of said function levers to control the uninterrupted advancement of said type carriage through a plurality of spaces at a time, and means effective invariably to block the return movement of said instrumentality directly from its operated position to its normal position.

9. In a recorder, selector mechanism responsive to received code combinations of signaling impulses, a type carriage movable normally one character space for each recording operation, means comprising an instrumentality operated under the control of said selector mechanism for causing said carriage to advance uninterruptedly through a plurality of spaces at a time from one recording position to another, and lockout means effective invariably to block the return movement of said instrumentality directly from its operated position to its normal position.

10. In a telegraph recorder, selector mechanism responsive to code signals, a carriage, spacing mechanism operative normally to control the advancement of said carriage one character space at a time, said mechanism embodying an escapement device including a pair of pawls and means to bias said pawls attrahently, tabulating mechanism comprising an instrumentality operated under the control of said selector mechanism to disable one of said pair of pawls to control the advancement of said carriage through a plurality of spaces at a time, and lockout means effective invariably to block the return movement of said instrumentality directly from its operated position to its normal position.

11. In a telegraph recorder, a spacing mechanism, driving means for driving said mechanism continuously, means comprising an instrumentality operated selectively in response to a predetermined code signal for starting said driving means, said instrumentality having drive maintaining and drive stopping positions, and a latch effective invariably to block the movement of said instrumentality directly from its drive maintaining position to its drive stopping position.

12. In a telegraph recorder, a spacing mechanism, signal responsive means for starting said spacing mechanism, a three-condition control member engaging said spacing mechanism for stopping said spacing mechanism, and means preventing at all times direct transition of said member from its first condition to its third condition while facilitating transition of said memher from its first condition to its second condition and from its second condition to its third condition.

13. In a telegraph recorder, a spacing mechanism, control means comprising an instrumentality operated selectively in response to a predetermined code signal for operating said spacing mechanism continuously, holding means to hold said instrumentality in predetermined spacing mechanism operating position, and a latch eifective invariably to assure said predetermined cooperation between said holding means and said instrumentality.

14. In a telegraph recorder, a spacing mechanism, control means comprising an instrumentality operated selectively in response to a predetermined code signal for operating said spacing mechanism continuously, holding means to hold instrumentality in predetermined spacing mechanism operating position, said holding means having a shouldered portion, and a blocking element having a surface arranged in stepped relation with said shouldered portion to assure invariably said predetermined cooperation between said holding means and said instrumentality.

15. In a recorder, elements movable normally one character space, means comprising an instrumentality operated selectively in response to a predetermined code signal for causing said elements to advance through a plurality of spaces at a time from one recording position to another, holding means to hold said instrumentality in operated position, said holding means having a shouldered portion, and a blocking element having a surface arranged in stepped relation with said shouldered portion to assure invariably a predetermined cooperation between said holding means and said instrumentality.

16. In a recorder, elements movable normally one character space, means comprising an instrumentality operated selectively in response to a predetermined code signal for operating said spacing mechanism continuously, holding means to hold said instrumentality in predetermined spacing mechanism operating position, said holding means having a shouldered portion, and a blocking element having a surface arranged in stepped relation with said shouldered portion to assure invariably said predetermined cooperation between said holding means and said instrumentality.

CHARLES W. BURCKY. 

